Business Details
46 Years
experience
Photogravure & Platinum Printing Services in Vermont
Founded in 1980 by Jon and Cathy Cone, our studio has pioneered digital printmaking and redefined fine black-and-white photographic printing. We combine decades of technical expertise with artistic collaboration, offering unmatched services in photogravure, platinum/palladium printing, and digital negative creation. Our proprietary Piezography technology achieves 65,000 shades of gray, setting industry standards for tonal depth. We collaborate with photographers and artists globally while empowering studios with cutting-edge UV exposure systems. Our Vermont-based facility houses a 4,200-square-foot studio with private artist quarters, supporting both individual projects and educational workshops.We maintain rigorous quality control through in-house ink formulation, custom software development, and precision drum scanning. Our team's 40+ years of experience ensures clients receive technically flawless prints on archival materials, from bespoke platinum editions to large-format photogravure plates. We emphasize transparency in processes, offering calibrated workflows that guarantee display-to-print accuracy. Our commitment to innovation continues through ongoing research into photopolymer plate sensitivity and UV exposure optimization.
Services
Photogravure Printing
Platinum/Palladium Prints
Digital Negatives
Drum Scanning
Workshops
Custom Inkjet Solutions
UV Exposure Systems
Archival Printing
Color Management
Print Editioning
Details
- Year established: 1980
Highlights and features
- We invented Piezography, the first archival black-and-white inkjet system with 65,000 gray shades
- Our verifiedUV systems are the fastest 365nm LED exposure units available
- Pioneers of direct-to-plate photogravure using proprietary Green Mountain Plates
- 40+ years developing ink formulations and calibration software for exacting standards
- Collaborated on major exhibitions including James Nachtwey's Currier Museum show
Services
Photogravure Printing
Our photogravure process uses Piezography 4-inkjet direct-to-plate technology for unparalleled tonal range. We create plates with 2880dpi resolution using UV-absorbing inks that produce smooth gradients rivaling platinum prints. The process eliminates film and glass requirements while maintaining traditional etching techniques. Clients receive prints with microscopic aquatint effects and 256 distinct gray values.
Platinum/Palladium Prints
We produce archival platinum/palladium prints using a 50/50 metal ratio with Malde-Ware chemistry. Our calibrated Piezography digital negatives ensure display-to-print accuracy without proofing. Prints achieve superior dMax values through 60-second verifiedUV exposures on Revere Platinum paper, offering warm-to-neutral tonal options with guaranteed chemical stability.
Digital Negatives
Our PiezoDN system creates calibrated digital negatives using 10 monochrome ink shades for smooth tonal transitions. The process supports platinum/palladium, cyanotype, and alternative processes with custom calibration packages. Each negative undergoes 2-3 measurement iterations to ensure perfect display-to-darkroom alignment for home studios.
Drum Scanning
We offer 48-bit RGB drum scanning at maximum resolution for film restoration and large-format reproduction. Our workflow includes raw inversion, tonal correction, and grain optimization using Photoshop Creative Cloud. Services cover black-and-white negatives, color negatives (with Negative Lab Pro), and positive transparencies with precise color balancing.
Workshops
Hands-on workshops teach direct-to-plate photogravure, platinum printing, and Piezography calibration. Participants gain access to our 4,200-square-foot studio with etching presses and spectrophotometers. The curriculum includes ink formulation, exposure system operation, and archival processing techniques developed over 40 years of printmaking innovation.
People
Jon Cone
Master Printer
Co-founder of Cone Editions Press in 1980, Jon pioneered digital printmaking and quad-black inkjet technology. He developed Piezography software and inks, collaborating with major artists on exhibitions like James Nachtwey's Currier Museum show. Holds patents for archival printing systems.
Cathy Cone
Creative Director
Co-founder with 40+ years in printmaking, Cathy holds an MFA from Maine Media College. She manages studio operations and workshops while maintaining her photographic practice. Her works are in IBM and Hallmark collections, with Vermont Art Fellowships recognition.
Yat Chun Chan
Printmaker
BFA graduate from SCAD, Marco specializes in photogravure and digital negatives. His Hong Kong heritage influences his printmaking approach, focusing on cultural storytelling. He assists artists with technical execution while pursuing personal projects in alternative processes.
Questions
What makes Cone Editions' photogravure different from traditional methods?
We use Piezography 4-inkjet direct-to-plate technology eliminating film requirements while achieving 256 gray values through UV-absorbing inks.
Can I get custom calibration for my home darkroom?
Yes, our PiezoDN system requires 2-3 calibration iterations with included film targets for precise display-to-print matching.
What paper options are available for platinum prints?
We use Revere Platinum paper with 50/50 platinum/palladium chemistry, offering warm-to-neutral tonal variations through humidity control.
Do you offer international shipping for prints?
Yes, we use flat-pack and tube shipping methods with tri-wall containers for international orders.
How long does drum scanning take?
Standard turnaround is 2-3 weeks depending on job size, with rush options available.
Are workshops available for beginners?
Our workshops accommodate all skill levels, from first-time printers to professionals mastering direct-to-plate techniques.
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